Love At First Death

The castle was unusually quiet that day. Damien was gone, leaving Elysia with little more than her wandering thoughts and a vast, unfamiliar estate. She was tired of pacing back and forth in the long halls and resolved to do something about her boredom.

After a brief breakfast, she found herself meandering down yet another dimly lit corridor, one she hadn't ventured into before. Her steps were aimless until she caught a faint clinking sound coming from one of the rooms. Intrigued, she followed the noise to find Marcus crouched in the corner of what looked like a workshop, repairing a broken chair leg.

"Ah-ha!" she exclaimed, startling him so much that the wrench slipped out of his hand and clattered to the floor.

"Good Lord!" Marcus exclaimed, clutching his chest. "You can't keep sneaking up on me like that!"

"Maybe you should stop being so sneaky yourself," she teased, stepping inside and observing the haphazard assortment of tools and half-finished projects. "What are you even doing here?"

"Fixing what needs fixing," he replied gruffly, picking up the wrench and returning to his task. "And you? I thought you'd still be in the library."

Elysia smirked. "I got bored. Besides, it's nice to know I can find you so easily now. Maybe I'll make it a habit."

Marcus gave her a wary glance but said nothing.

She leaned against a nearby table, watching him work. "By the way, where's Lucian? It's oddly peaceful today without his constant quips."

Marcus chuckled lightly. "Quiet days with Lucian don't come often, but when they do, there's usually something brewing."

Elysia raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound ominous at all."

"Let's just say he's not one to let things lie."

She tilted her head. "Speaking of things not lying, why am I not allowed to go outside? Not that I'm dying to leave," she added sarcastically, "but it's a little strange to be cooped up in a place like this."

Marcus hesitated, his hands stilling. "Because this world isn't the same as the one you're used to. It's... different."

Elysia rolled her eyes. "Different how? Different as in no Wi-Fi? Honestly, you'd think a girl could at least get a stroll outside for some fresh air."

Marcus opened his mouth to reply, but a loud, angry commotion from outside interrupted him. His face paled as he hurried to the window.

"What is it?" Elysia asked, following him.

"Villagers," he muttered grimly. "And Damien isn't here to handle this."

Lucian's voice echoed from the hall, sharp and humorless. "I'll take care of it."

Elysia turned to see Lucian striding purposefully past the doorway. He wasn't smiling, and his usual mischievous glint was nowhere to be found.

"Wait– " Elysia started, but Marcus grabbed her arm.

"You should stay here," Marcus urged. "It's not safe."

Elysia gave him a skeptical look. "When is it ever safe around here? I'm going."

"Elysia– " Marcus began, but she was already heading down the hall.

When she reached the grand doors, she found Lucian standing just outside, facing a group of villagers wielding torches and pitchforks.

One of the villagers, a stout man with a thick beard, pointed an accusatory finger. "We know you're hiding her! Bring her out, or we'll force our way in!"

Lucian smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Do you even hear yourselves? Do you honestly believe you can storm a castle with… sticks?"

The villagers muttered among themselves, their courage faltering, but their determination remained.

Elysia pushed the door open just enough to step outside. The moment the villagers spotted her, their murmurs turned to shouts.

"There she is!" one woman screamed. "The witch!"

"Witch?" Elysia blurted, her confusion evident.

Lucian glanced back at her, his expression unreadable. "I told you to stay inside."

She ignored him, looking out at the mob. "Why are they calling me that?"

The stout man pointed again. "You're the one who cursed my daughter! She went missing after going near this cursed place!"

"What are you talking about?" Elysia asked, genuinely baffled. "I didn't curse anyone!"

The crowd surged forward, their shouts growing louder.

Lucian stepped in front of her, his voice cold and commanding. "Enough! If you value your lives, you'll leave now."

The villagers hesitated, but their fear of Lucian didn't erase their anger.

Elysia's eyes darted over their old-fashioned clothing and wild accusations. "What is this, a scene from a medieval movie? Did someone forget to tell me I time-traveled?"

Lucian glanced over his shoulder, a hint of dry amusement breaking through his tension. "Welcome to the neighborhood, Elysia."

Her mouth opened to retort, but before she could speak, one of the villagers threw a rock. It sailed through the air, heading straight for her.

Lucian caught it mid-flight with startling speed, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "That," he said, his voice low and menacing, "was your last mistake."

The villagers faltered, realizing they'd crossed a line.

"What are you?" one of them whispered, stepping back.

Lucian's smile returned, sharp and wolfish. "Why don't you come closer and find out?"

The villagers turned and fled, their shouts fading into the distance.

Elysia stood frozen, trying to process what had just happened. "What… was that?"

Lucian turned to her, his expression softening slightly. "You're starting to understand why Damien wants you to stay inside."

As he walked past her, back into the castle, she couldn't help but feel the weight of the villagers' accusations. Witch? Curse? Missing daughter?

The pieces of the puzzle were there, but they didn't make sense– yet.